Yarntellers
Yarntellers is a program exclusively designed to explore the process of playmaking with 5 to 8 years old.
“Everyone can act. Everyone can improvise. Anyone who wishes to can play in the Theatre.”
– Viola Spolin
Creative Drama and Theatre for 5- to 8-year-olds
Yarntellers is a program exclusively designed to explore the process of playmaking with 5 to 8 years old. It is the journey from creative drama to transforming the story into a play that the children want to make. The varied terms in this work through intensive story-making, culminating in short performances and formal stage productions.
The program content is led by the children: each term has different aims depending on what is
being discovered, analysed and played out by them at the time.
Exploring Literary Genres
We break down and adapt multiple genres in literature including the classics, folktales, fairytales, fables, children’s chapter books and novels to inquire around , investigate and integrate different techniques in Creative Drama, Theatre and Puppetry. This leads into beginners’ playmaking programs and big stage productions.
Devising Performances around their lives and environment
Devising stories, plots and ideas is an interesting and effective way for children to think about their lives and environment, and learn to engage with the world confidently. We take a central issue from their own lives, and through discussions, storytelling, role play, improvisation and movement, a show is produced and performed on stage.
Puppetry, Storytelling and Drama
Picture books and pictures are extremely powerful. Children respond to images and visuals beautifully. They tell powerful stories. Using these as a springboard and to encourage different ways of storytelling , we love integrating and introducing different forms of puppetry like glove and shadow puppetry to them. These culminate into shorter less formal performances but nevertheless extremely powerful ones too, as we all know how puppetry works so well on voice modulation and facial and body expressions.
Creative Writing and Poetry Cafe
Another absolute favourite amongst the children is our Poetry unit. Using methodologies in drama , integrating music, movement, creative writing games etc .